Wall finishing material



, Dec. 3, 1935. R, T. WHITNAH WALL FINISHING MATERIAL Filed March 30, 1955 Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in surface decorating material and pertains p-articularly to an improved surfacing for walls, ceilings, floors or similar surfaces.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a paneled material which may bereadily applied towalls, ceiling or oor surfaces of a room or in other locations for finishing or lgiving a decorative effect to the same, and which is adapted to conform to curves occurring in the surface either of a convex or concave nature.

The invention broadly contemplates the provip sion of a wall surfacing material made up of a plurality of elongated-strips or panels, preferably of wood, which are mounted upon a flexible back whereby the material may be readily rolled for transportation and readily applied to -a at or curved wall surface, the flexible backing by which the panels are connected having additional water-proofing strips attached thereto over the areas, spaces or joints between the panels Whereby the passage of moisture between the panel edges is prevented.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specication, with the understanding, however, that the invention isv not conned to any strict conformity with the showing of the .drawing but may be changed or modied so long as such changes or modications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a sectional view of a portion of a curved wall showing the material embodying the present invention applied to the convex surface thereof.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through a portion of a curved wall showing -a material applied to the concave surface.

Figure 3 is a sectional View through a portion of a flat wall showing the material applied to one face of the same.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of a portion of the material.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken o-n the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral I indicates a plurality of flat panels or strips of material of wood or the like, which are arranged in edge opposed relation upon a flexible backing 2 of cloth or other suitable material. These panels I may be of any desired length and may be provided in any number upon a backing strip as, for example, the lengths of the panels may be such as to extend from the floor to the ceiling of 5 a room and the length of the strip as a whole may be sufficient to extend the full width of the wall so that ra single panel only need be provided for each wall surface, or if desired, relatively long strips of paneling may be provided with the l0 individual panels relatively short so that the width of the body across which the panels I extend, may be relatively slight as compared with the length of the completed body.

In Figure l, the wall surfacing material is 15 shown as applied to a concave surface of a wall 3. For covering surfaces of this character, it is desirable that the panels I, when applied to the backing material 2, be spaced apart slightly so as to permit their swinging together on the lex- 20 ible backing as they are applied to the concave surface.

In Figure 2, the material is shown applied to a convex surface where the wall is indicated by the numeral 4. In this form and in the form 25 of the material used for application to a ilat surface such as indicated by the numeral 5, the panels I may be applied flat to the backing material 2 with their edges abutting.

In all forms of the material, before the backing 30 material 2 is applied, the joints or seams between the panels I will bey covered by strips 6 of waterproof tape and the backing material 2 will then be applied over the panels I and the strips, the strips of tape serving to prevent any moisture 35 which may be in the material of the wall to which the covering is applied, coming through between the panels I.

In addition to the construction illustrated and described, it will be apparent that the backing 40 fabric referred to may be interposed between two, layers of the strips where it is desired that the two sides of the structure be nished as in making use of the material for blinds or screens, and it will also be apparent that in using the material for screens, the strips of material I may be disposed vertically on the floor or other suitable supporting surface.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent 50 that decorative surfacings may be supplied for iinishing walls in a manner to facilitate completing the wall construction rapidly and in an attractive and novel manner.

While any suitable type of strip material may 55 be employed, it is the primary purpose of the present invention to make the present wall covering material in the form of a ilexible veneer employing the strips of wood normally used in the construction of venetian blinds.

What is claimed isz- 1. A Wall surfacing or finishing material, comprising a plurality of flat strips of material disposed in edge opposed relation, a flexible backing secured to the strips upon one side of the same, and a water-proofing tape underlying the backing parallel with and covering the joints between the strips of material.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a flexible veneer comprising a plurality of venetian blind strips disposed in parallel edge opposed relation, a relatively narrow Water-proong tape overlying and paralleling the opposing edges of the strips, and a body of fabric material completely covering the backs of the strips of the veneer and said Water proofing strips.

RAYMOND T. WHITNAH. 

